Hello! My parents are from Mexico and my relatives coming from Mexico, for the wedding, speak mostly Spanish. But, the majority of our guests will only speak English. Therefore, here is my music dilemma:

I want to have some Spanish music (like 20 songs total) played throughout our wedding reception, but my FI thinks that all the non-Spanish speaking guests will find the music annoying and will think it’s rude because they won’t understand the Spanish music.

Anyone non-Hispanics have any input here????

Also, what do you think of having a mariachi band for 1 hour? I want one but he thinks that non-Hispanics will think they are loud and annoying…

I know that you asked for non-Hispanics for input, but I’m going to share my opinion anyways.

I’m Hispanic and my FI is Croation/Irish/Canadian mix. YOU ARE HISPANIC! Be proud of who you are. I would be SO insulted if my FI said I shouldn’t play music from my culture. I told him I wanted to have a mariachi and he thought it was awesome.

If people are coming to YOUR wedding and feeling insulted by the music from YOUR culture, they don’t deserve to be there.

Seriously, this drives me mad. We were just at a wedding where the groom’s family (he is Canadian) were making faces and getting upset when Spanish music came on. It was so disrespectful. If you don’t like the bride’s culture, GTFO. Why bother going to the wedding in the first place?

oh gosh, quite the opposite – I think they would find it cool and a little ‘exotic’ to have something cultural like that they might not be used to at weddings. Plus in this day and age, salsa and other latin music is soo prolific in the US mainstream (Shakira, even Ricky Martin back in the day), so I think people are probably used to hearing lyrics they can’t understand. Go for it!

I know you asked for non-hispanics. but I’m half hispanic. So I have to deal with the mixing of our cultures for our wedding. Honestly, no it won’t be loud and annoying. You should be careful about what songs you are playing, make sure that they have the tone and feel that people will enjoy. My older sister did this for her wedding, but she had to play Latino music and Greek music. Each got a couple songs (like 15 minutes worth) and everyone had a blast!

As a non-Hispanic, I certainly would never think that a bride or groom celebrating their heritage at THEIR wedding was rude. You and your FI are starting a new family and blending 2 cultures together, both your guests and his guests should understand and celebrate that.

I went to a wedding of a Hispanic bride and white groom, and the DJ played a great mix of music, including some spanish language music and some salsa. The bride’s family was on the dance floor doing some amazing salsa moves, which was fun to watch and to join in on.

If you are worried that the non-Spanish speaking guests won’t understand or feel comfortable with the music, maybe have the DJ make an announcement about the music that is being played and invite everyone out on the dance floor to enjoy the music.

I think it’s a great idea! Like others have said, it will be fun and unique–a great chance to celebrate the blending of your families.

It might also make those who speak predominately Spanish feel more included. Sprinkled over the course of the night, it might help them feel like their (and your) culture is being celebrated rather than hidden an feel more comfortable when everyone around them is speaking a language they aren’t so fluent in.

I’d love to hear music from the culture that is now going to be a part of the family. I guess it depends how many songs altogether you’re playing. If 20 of them are Spanish songs, how many are English speaking songs? I’m guessing a lot more than 20?Not everyone likes the same music, even if you were playing some rock, some country, some top 20…you can’t please them all!!! I think your Mexican relatives will really appreciate having Spanish music as they will probably feel out of place with the majority of your guests speaking English.

One of my roommates is Mexican and when she got married they had a mariachi band and it was so much fun! Her parents spoke only Spanish so a lot of the day was in spanish. It was a lot of fun and I heard a lot of comments form people that they loved having the mariachis because it made the day festive. And I love latin music so you should definately do it. Who doesn’t like to salsa?

Your fiance should get over it. if people are travelling all the way from Mexico to be at your wedding, it would be really nice to do something to make them feel special and welcome, especially since it might be difficult for them to interact with the others if they speak mostly Spanish. Plus, he’s marrying into a really cool culture and it should be celebrated.

I think what kind of music you play really depends on who can dance and what they want to dance to. My grandparents and the older generation of my family were beautiful ball room dancers back in the day. I’m sure there would be songs to make them happy.